Lost. Worried. Lonely. Unnerved. Heartbroken. Angry. Bitter. Relieved. Hopeful. These are just some of the stops along the emotional roller coaster that is divorce. This is not something that you should endure alone. With the resources that are now available you can survive the divorce process with some level of dignity. 

First, let me tell you the one resource not to rely on – friends and family! As well meaning that this advice is it can also be misguided, uninformed, and downright damaging to your ability to think straight. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great for the shoulder to cry on and to keep you distracted and to remind you that you are loved. All of which you will need during this ride. But do your best to get advice from objective professionals and not biased family and friends. You’ll come out of this better for it.

The first resource that I think everyone needs during the process and for at least a little while after is

1. A Good Therapist – There is just so much emotional trauma caused by divorce that you really need to talk it through with a qualified professional. A therapist will help you explore your role at the end of your marriage so you can get clear about your goals for the next phase of your life. This is the only way you can hope to form new relationships that aren’t doomed to repeat your past. 

  2. Non-Profits – Almost every community in the country has a non-profit that offers divorce support resources. In the Milwaukee and Waukesha Wisconsin area that we service, we have Divorce Care® to find out more: Divorce Care Link Check your local community for those in your area.

  3. The Internet – Divorce has become big business. New resource sites pop up every day offering a wealth of free information, downloads, blogs, referrals, directories, etc. It can be overwhelming so just pick out what you connect with and leave the rest. Go slow. Be kind to yourself. Also, Meetup.com is a great resource for local divorce support groups. Going to a few is a good idea but don’t let yourself sink in too long. Recovery is supposed to be about getting better and I know too many people that stay stuck grieving and never move on. Use a support group to move through the process and then – move on.

Bonus Item: CDFA® or Certified Divorce Financial Planner – The most common and paralyzing fear that nearly everyone feels in divorce is “Will I be ok financially?” It’s inevitable. Before you agree to any settlement, you really need a second set of eyes and some financial projections, so you know what you’re going to be looking at. Of course, I’m biased and would prefer that you find a CDFA® actually trained specifically in the finances of divorce but like I said, I’m biased.

This is going to be a challenging time in your life. Ultimately, you will be stronger, happier, and ok – as long as you choose to. Use the resources available to you to make good decisions for yourself. Today truly is the first day of the rest of your life.